MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 1 Making Middle Grades Work School We are using an Enhanced Design to get all Students to Standards

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 2 We are preparing for a life time journey—not a brief trip

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 3 Improving student achievement is … about changing the experiences all students receive throughout the school. not about improving individual student scores. about closing the gaps in opportunity, expectations, possibilities and achievement for all students.

Closing the Gaps  Achievement Gaps  Exist when test scores, classroom grade distribution and failure and retention rates are markedly different between sub-groups of students.  Opportunity Gaps  Exist when enrollment in higher-level courses such as Algebra or honors or advanced classes, foreign languages, etc. is limited to some sub-groups of students.  Expectation Gaps  Exist when teachers and/or students do not expect the same performance from some sub-groups of students.  Possibility Gaps  Exist when schools cannot accept that their students can achieve at higher levels compared to like schools that are performing at higher levels.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 5 Work Harder to Get Smarter  MMGW requires schools to rethink our beliefs about education and learning. We need to change our thinking and our language from an ability-based learning model to an effort-based learning model.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 6 Critical Questions  How well are our students doing in ninth-grade? Were they ready to do independent study and rigorous high school work?  What do ninth-grade students believe that their middle grades school could have done better to prepare them for high school?  What percentage of students who enter grade nine fail to graduate in four years?  What percentage drop out?

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 7 Creating an Environment that motivates students to make the effort to succeed Students learn a rigorous academic core taught in ways that enables them to see the usefulness of their studies.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 8 What is Rigor? Rigor is the goal of helping students develop the capacity to understand content that is complex, ambiguous, provocative, and personally or emotionally challenging. Harvey Strong and Mathew Perini, Teaching What Matters Most: Standards and Strategies for Raising Student Achievement, ASCD, 2001

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 9 How teachers teach matters in middle grades.  Teachers need to use classroom practices that engage students in learning, to integrate technology, and to plan together that enable students to see connections to prior learning and to the world they live in.  Teachers engage students by giving some choices, providing assignments that challenge students to think, using technology, giving student time to share what they have learned, and allowing students to practice and refine skills by working with partners and in teams.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 10 Our First Step Site Development Workshop Designed for a school team to plan and present back to whole faculty. Identify current effective practices Use data to determine challenges Develop a plan to more deeply implement the key practices and present the results of this workshop to the entire staff

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 11 Continuing the Plan Implement Focus Teams or similar groups each responsible for implementation, follow-up, gathering data, evaluation, and monthly presentations to the faculty. Continue revising the plan each year for sustaining implementation. Participate in professional development aligned with the ten key components

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 12 MMGW Key Practice 1.An academic core aligned to what students must know and be able to do to succeed in mathematics, science, college- preparatory English and social studies. All students need a core curriculum that accelerates learning, challenges them, and appeals to their interests.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 13 Academic Core In mathematics, all students satisfactorily complete Algebra I or pre-algebra and use algebra concepts to reason and solve problems.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 14 Academic Core In science, all students use laboratory and technology experiences to learn fundamental concepts in the physical, life, and earth/space science.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 15 Academic Core Reading instruction is incorporated into all content areas in the academic core curriculum through eighth grade.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 16 Academic Core The language arts curriculum requires students to use language correctly and effectively in presentations and writing; to find, organize, and communicate information; write short papers weekly and one or more major research papers yearly.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 17 Academic Core The social studies curriculum engages students to learn about their heritage, their world, and economic principles through key issues of the past, present and future.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 18 Exploratory Courses Content Indicators for Exploratory Courses aligned to core academic standards reading and writing to learn emphasis align to technology competencies/skills projects integrating academic standards projects that explore different career pathways

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 19 RigorousChallenging Provide Content That is Rigorous and Challenging Content that historically has been taught to the top 25% of students Content that is compared to state, national and international benchmarks

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 20 Numeracy Indicators Middle Grades Content Numeracy Indicators Students report… Developing and analyzing tables, charts and graphs in their schoolwork often. Using a scientific calculator weekly. Solving math problems other than those in textbook at least weekly. Working with one or more students in their class on a challenging mathematics assignment monthly or weekly. Working in groups to brainstorm how to solve a mathematics problem monthly or weekly. Southern Regional Education Board

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 21 Numeracy Indicators Middle Grades Content Numeracy Indicators Students report… Explaining to the class how they solved a mathematics problem monthly or weekly. Explaining different ways for solving mathematics problems monthly or weekly. Using their math skills to solve problems in other classes monthly or weekly. That their mathematics teaches showed them how math can be used to solve problems in real life. That their teachers know their subject and can make it interesting and useful often. Southern Regional Education Board

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 22 Numeracy Indicators Middle Grades Content Numeracy Indicators Students report… That their teachers encourage them to help each other and learn from each other sometimes or often. Using the internet to find information for completing assignments often. Using work-processing software to complete an assignments or project often. Southern Regional Education Board

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 23 Science Indicators Middle Grades Content Science Indicators Students report Completing science projects that take a week or more. Completing written lab reports once a semester or monthly. Working with one or more students to complete challenging science assignments once a semester or monthly. Using equipment to do activities in science labs with tables and sinks once a semester or monthly. Southern Regional Education Board

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 24 Science Content Indicators Science Students report Using word-processing software to complete an assignment or project often. Completing short writing assignments of one to three pages for a grade in science once a semester. Using a laptop computer, a lab book or notebook to keep records, logs and comments. Writing long answers to questions on tests in science monthly. Southern Regional Education Board

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 25 Science Content Indicators Science Students report That teachers know their subject and can make it interesting and useful often. That teachers encourage them to help each other and learn from each other sometimes or often. Developing and analyzing tables, charts and/or graphs in their schoolwork often. Using the Internet to find information for completing assignments often. Southern Regional Education Board

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 26 Engaging Science Strategies Team Planning Time Engaging Science Strategies Review your current status related to science instruction and determine one outstanding practice in place. Determine one action for years 1, 2, and 3 the school can take to get students to: Conduct frequent labs in science class and write about what they learn Read science-related articles frequently Design and conduct scientific investigations in all classes Analyze and defend findings from investigations (Complete pgs )

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 27 Social Studies Content Indicators Social Studies Understand the essential concepts of geography, economics, history and government. Analyze conflicts and debate and defend a position. Participate in hands-on activities such as: ♦problem-solving and decision-making in the real world ♦simulations ♦service learning

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 28 MMGW Key Practice 2. A belief that all students matter. Ensure that each student develops a personal relationship with a consistent mentor-- an adult who takes an interest in his or her successful learning, goal-setting, course selection, educational planning, review of progress and personal growth through a structured guidance and advisement system that ensures students complete accelerated programs of study.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 29 MMGW Key Practice 3. High Expectations and a system of extra help Students learn in different ways and at different rates. Schools provide a structured system of instruction and extra help that supports all students become self-directed learners. –Successful habits

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 30 MMGW Key Practice 3. High Expectations and a system of extra help (con’t)  Teachers communicate to students what is required for A and B work  Students have easy access to opportunities to meet and exceed course standards and advance with their peers.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 31 MMGW Key Practice 4. Classroom strategies that engage students Young adolescents need varied learning activities linked to challenging academic concepts in real- world applications. Teachers need to integrate reading, writing, and speaking as strategies for learning. Teachers engage students regularly by having them read books and articles, write, make presentations, and use high-level reasoning and thinking skills.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 32 Why Engaging Practices are Needed  The more interesting an assignment is, the more likely students are to complete it.  Students are more engaged when they can build on prior knowledge and see connections to the world they live in.  Even small opportunities for choice give students a greater sense of autonomy.  Students are more engaged when sharing what they are learning is needed by others in the group to complete an assignment.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 33  Giving students choices in assignments and assessments  Providing assignments that challenge students to develop ideas and to think  Allowing students to share what they have learned Drill sheets Copying notes from the board Assignments with no variety and no choice Activity for activity’s sake Student engagement is: Student engagement is not:

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 34 Giving the Curriculum Meaning and Purpose  Authentic problems, concrete experiences  A problem-solving approach  Inquiry-based learning  Integrated projects across the curriculum

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 35 Learning Pyramid — Activity — Learning Pyramid On the following slide is a pyramid of learning activities and their impact on student learning. Brainstorm which teaching practices correspond to each level of the pyramid.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 36 HOW WE LEARN          Learning Pyramid

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 37 What is our school’s and MMGW commitments? Memorandum of Understanding The school, district and state each pledge certain conditions and levels of support for using this framework to make the programs and initiative successful.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 38 HOW WE LEARN 1% 10% 20% 30% 50% 70% 80% 95% 98% Use art, drama, music, movement – Integrated curriculum with content Teaching someone else Having a personal experience – Making connections (hands on) Discussion with others Lecture with visuals Using only visuals Lecture Reading Assignment (read pp 2-10) Fill out worksheet Learning Pyramid

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 39 MMGW Key Practice 5. Teachers Working Together Teachers need time to Align core academic courses to state and national standards and align standards with classroom assignments, student work and assessments. Align student assignments, student work, and classroom assessments to at least Proficient-level as defined by National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)-referenced exams and state assessments.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 40 MMGW Key Practice 6. Support from Parents Develop efforts to educate parents and students about the achievement level needed for challenging high school studies and beyond.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 41 MMGW Key Practice 7. Highly Qualified Teachers Middle school teachers must have in- depth knowledge of their subject areas and teaching strategies to engage and challenge students.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 42 MMGW Key Practice 8. Use of Data Along with state data, the Middle Grades Assessment--which is referenced to NAEP proficiency standards in reading, math and science--includes data from students and teachers.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 43 Middle Grades Assessment  Administer the MGA to 60 eighth-graders (or whole 8 th grade class)  Administer the MGA student and teacher surveys

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 44 Technical Assistance Visit  Present TAV findings to staff Use focus teams to determine which challenges and which specific actions should also be incorporated into the SDW improvement plan Stroke teachers whose feelings are hurt by the findings and keep the focus on the prize at the end

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 45 MMGW Key Practice 9. Use of Technology Provide opportunities for students to use technology to improve knowledge and skills in all classes.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 46 MMGW Key Practice 10. Strong Leadership Principals, teachers, and central office supervisors planning and implementing research-based improvements, including aligning and benchmarking curricular to high school standards.

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 47 Students said… Many teachers do not provide extra help and time. They knew that math tutoring was going start this week. Students want more open discussions, more activities, more hands-on work like AMSTI Worse activities: taking notes, flashcards, worksheets, reading with no real purpose No structured activities (curriculum) in PE

MMGW Alabama Alabama Department of Education 48 Dorothy Dolasky MMGW State Coordinator